Letter: Future streets littered with high-tech e-gum

From Chris Garbett, East Leake, Nottinghamshire, UK

You report a new chewing gum that “consists of a piezoelectric element and electrodes wrapped in a thin plastic film” (20 October, p 7). What are the environmental consequences of such a product? Our pavements are already heavily stained with discarded chewing gum. Will the new chewing gum also be discarded, adding to the plastic pollution?

The editor writes:
• We foresee belated legislation demanding dedicated disposal bins at points of sale; and if the thing lasts as long as promised, these will take ages to fill up.